He used to sell drugs in southern Dallas. Now he hooks community on his vegan food

It began with guacamole.

When Rico Alexander, founding father of HopeBoy’s Kitchen, created his well-known guacamole, his eating regimen was principally rooster, fish and greens. He was identified with Kind 2 Diabetes and needed to scrub up his eating regimen and reverse his hypertension and ldl cholesterol.

“I didn’t eat any beef, any pork, little or no bread and even dairy — I ended consuming dairy,” he mentioned. “I mentioned, ‘Man, I want a bit one thing else’ so I began messing round with guacamole.”

The guacamole began off as one thing for family and friends, however ultimately led to Alexander promoting dozens of tubs and rising right into a small enterprise promoting sizzling meals for his neighborhood.

HopeBoy’s Kitchen is a vegan meals truck primarily based in southern Dallas. Alexander based it in Might 2020 as a strategy to share his love for plant-based meals in a neighborhood with few wholesome choices, decrease life expectancy and plagued with well being issues.

Alexander referred to as his best-selling guacamole “Crack Guac,” as a result of it was addictive and he thought it was ironic.

A Nice Grove native, Alexander spent his teenage years dealing medicine in southern Dallas. In 1996, on the age of 20, he served 4 and a half years in jail. Although he now lives in Grand Prairie, he needs to return again and do good for the communities that he felt that he harmed.

“I selected to convey my meals to the southern a part of Dallas as a result of that is the place my coronary heart is, the place my ardour lies, and the place I’ve completed numerous grime,” Alexander mentioned. “I’m attempting to right a few of the issues that I really feel like I’ve completed to this neighborhood. I’ve broken the neighborhood and now I really feel like God is looking me to heal this neighborhood and it’s by meals.”

Based on the 2019 Parkland Well being Wants Evaluation, southern Dallas has a excessive variety of well being points like hypertension, diabetes and most cancers. Alexander himself determined to tackle a plant-based way of life in 2018 for his personal well being issues.

The meals truck serves birria tacos, smothered Salisbury, meatloaf, burgers and different consolation meals. The all-vegan menu surprises many, however Alexander hopes that his meals makes veganism approachable.

“I’m attempting to offer folks meals that they’re comfy with — so tacos, proper?” Alexander mentioned. “Texas, particularly the Dallas-Fort Price space, we’re large for tacos. Who’s not gonna like a superb vegan taco?”

Alexander’s spouse, Josi Alexander, is a proud proponent of his meals truck and his vegan meals, which she says she will be able to’t inform is vegan. She mentioned she at all times inspired him to create this enterprise, however Rico was satisfied his meals wasn’t ok but.

The 2 are foodies, at all times looking for the most effective locations to eat within the metropolis. For Josi, the most effective is at residence.

“For me, fingers down, my husband has the most effective burger you’re in all probability gonna eat,” Josi mentioned. “Finest burger, greatest guacamole, greatest meatloaf — I imply I might go on and on.”

The primary location Alexander shared his sizzling vegan meals at was a Goal parking zone in Oak Cliff. He was handing out pre-ordered meals there for 18 months till he was kicked out as a result of dozens of individuals started lining up for him.

Whereas he was incarcerated, Alexander’s mom died on the age of 44 from most cancers. 4 years later, his dad adopted and died from a coronary heart assault. Watching his personal mother and father wrestle and dealing with a Kind 2 Diabetes prognosis himself, Alexander determined to attempt to change up his eating regimen. Finally, he discovered that veganism was the most suitable choice for him.

Alexander’s mom liked to prepare dinner. Alexander mentioned that she was phenomenal and wouldn’t go to any operate with out bringing one thing selfmade. He mentioned being within the kitchen makes him really feel nearer to her.

“I imagine that she’s watching over me on a regular basis,” Alexander mentioned. “Once I’m within the kitchen, I imagine generally she telling me ‘Hey, son, that’s sufficient seasoning proper there.’”

For Josi, she is pleased with watching her husband encourage his neighborhood and people who have the identical background as him.

“Everyone talks in regards to the American dream and with my husband, I can see it,” she mentioned. “He’s a hope for many who wish to get off the streets and develop.”

Now, HopeBoy’s Kitchen does occasional pop-ups and is positioned at Tyler Station in Oak Cliff. Alexander is hoping for the enterprise to develop to ultimately set up a brick and mortar within the southern sector.